Insulator



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. 1'. MUNSIE. NSULATOR.

Patented June 30,1891.

(No Model.) `2 sheets-sheet 2.

J. F. MUNSIB. INSULATOR.

No. 455,107. Patented June 30,1891..

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344m@ nto/z UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. MUNSIE, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

INSULATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :Patent No. 455,10*?, dated J une30, 1891.

Application led March 28, 1890. Renewed March 28, 1891. Serial No.386,737. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. MUNsiE, a British subject, residing atBrooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Insulators; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements ininsulating devices for underground or overhead conductors for electricrailways, and has for its object to so construct and arrange theinsulating` device and its accessories as to maintain a portion of saidinsulating device intermediate of the point of connection of theconductor and the point of support of the insulator constantly in a drycondition for the purpose of preventing any possible grounding of thecurrent in wet weather, the said dry portion serving as a completeinsulating-break between the couductor and the ground.

In carr Ying out my invention I have devised the construction andarrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section and partial elevation of anunderground electric-railway conduit provided with my improvements, thesection being taken on a plane indicated by the line 1 1 of Fig. 2. Fig.2 represents a vertical cross section thereof, taken on a planeindicated by the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents, on an enlargedscale, a side elevation of one of the insulators employed in saidconduit; and Fig. it represents in section a modified form of insulatorparticularly designed for overhead conductors.

Similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the drawings, 5 indicates an electric-railway conduitprovided with the usual longitudinal slot 6 for the passage of thetrolley-hanger 7, and having suitable provision for carrying off to thesewer any dripping or condensation of water that may accumulate at thebottom of the conduit. A convenient device4 for this purpose isindicated by the outlet-pipe 8, leading to the sewer and provided with atrap or seal 9 to prevent ini-low of sewer-gases.

The positive and negative conductors are located, respectively, atopposite sides of the conduit, and consist of sections of conductingmetal supported upon the top of my improved insulating devices. Themetallic conducting-sections l0 referred to are electrically connectedto form a continuous conductor (negative or positive) by means ofvconnecting-pieces 11 of wrought-iron, so as to make a substantial jointof low resistance. I prefer to employ wrought-iron as the material ofconstruction of the connecting-piece 11, for the reason that it will notbe subject from any cause to permanent magnetization, which would tendto increase its resistance.

In the form of my insulator illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 I haveshown the same as consisting of a base 12 and a cap-piece 13, which mayconveniently be formed of wood saturated with oil or of glass, glazedterracotta, or other equivalent material, the two parts being joined bymeans of dowel-pins 14 or the like. The base 12 is provided about itssides with a continuous annular groove, as shown, and on its uppersurface with an annular depression 15, adapted to receive a hygroscopicsolid or liquidas, for instance, calcic oxide, desiccated calcicchloride, sulphuric acid, glycerine, or similar material having anafiinity for water. The cap-piece 13 has an overhanging flange 16,extending over the upper edge or rim of the base 12, so as to direct anywater or drippings to the bottom of the conduit. Each base-piece isprovided with an aperture or perforation 17 extending entirely throughit, and the said perforations are connected throughout by means ofintermediate pipe-sections 18, having non-conducting `jackets orcoverings and adapted to receive and transmit to the insu lating-bases aheating fluid or liquid-suoli as hot air, steam, hot water, or thelike-for the purpose of raising the temperature of said bases, so as todrive off moisture therefrom or from the calcio oxide or calcio chlorideemployed ordinarily as the drying agent, so as to renew or revivify saidcalcio oxide or calcic chloride as drying agents.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 4 the cap-piece 19 will formthe point of .sup-

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port, and the conductor-sections l0 will be connected to the under sideof the base 20, the base and cap-piece being preferably connected bymeans oi' a through-bolt 2l. The depression or cavity illustrated in theupper part of the piece 20 is for the reception of thehygroscopicmaterial hereinbefore referred to.

The operation of my invention is as Iollows: In the form illustrated inFigs. I, 2, and 3 any drippings of water that may take place from theWalls of the conduit orthrough the hanger-slot upon the upper surface ofthe cap-piece I3 are directed to the bottom of the conduit, thedepression in the top of the basepiece 'l2 being protected from saiddrippings by reason of the overhanging flange of the cap-piece. Anywater that may splash against the bottom of the conduit is preventedfrom entering said depression by reason of the curved form ot the sidesof the base, which is almost if not a complete protection against accessof water duc to splashing. It, however, any drops of water should besplashed into the cavity or depression in the top of the base-piece I2,or should any condensation of water upon the under surface of thecappiece have a tendency to form, such water or condensation willimmediately be absorbed by the hygroseopic material Within saiddepression, andas a consequence the lower surface of the cap-piece willremain constantly in a dry condition. This dry portion of the insulatoris thus constantly interposed between the conductor and the ground,thereby preserving at all times a reliable insulation unaffected bydrippings or splashings of water upon the top of the insulator or aboutits sides. If at any time it is desired to revivify the hygroscopicmaterial by driving off its moisture, this purpose can be readilyeffected by introducing` a heating agent through the system of pipes IS,as hereinbefore described. In some instances I contemplate dispensingwith the hygroscopic material and employing the heating agent alone formaintaining the insulating-base in a dry condition; but the best resultswill be attained by the employment ot' the two conjointly.

In the form of my invention `shown in Fig. 4 the general mode ofoperation and the results attained are similar to those just described,Witll the exception that no provision is made for heating the insulator.

It will be evident that the insulators may be heated by other means thanthe pipe system shown, and I do not therefore restrict myself to thatparticular means of heating.

\Vhen I employ sulphuric acid as the hygroscopic material, I provide thecavity or depression in the upper part of the base I2 or 2O with alining of acid-resisting character 22, such as sheet-lead or stearicpitch.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is I. An insulator ofthe kind described, consisting ot' a base and an overhanging cappiece,said base being provided at its upper surface with a filling ol'hygroscopic material, substantially as described.

2. An insulator of the kind described, provided with a base, anoverhanging cap-piece, and means, substantially as described, forheating said insulator, substantially as described.

An insulator of the kind described, consisting of a basehavingadepression or cavity in its upper suri'ace for the reception ofahygroscopic material and an opening for the reception of a heatingagent, and an overhanging cap-piece, substantially as described.

e. An insulator of the kind described, consisting of a base and anoverhanging cappiece, said base being provided with a flange orextension at its upper rim' to prevent splashing upon the under side ofthe cappiece, substantially as described.

5. An insulating system for electrical conductors, consisting of aseries of insulators having perforations or channels for the receptionof a heating agent, and pipe-sections connecting said channels,substantially as described.

6. An insulating system for electrical conductors, consisting of aseries of insulators having perforations or channels for the receptionof a heating agent, and pipe-sections counectin g said channels, saidpipe-sections having non-conducting jackets, substantially as described.

7. rIhe combination, with an insulator, of the conductor -sections 10and connectingjoint ll, of wrought-iron, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. MUNSIE.

Witnesses:

JOHN C. PENNIE, A. M. PAaKiNs.

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